Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 22 suspected terrorists Tuesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq in central and northern parts of the country.South of Musayyib, Coalition forces targeted and captured the alleged associate of a senior leader of al-Qaeda in IraqÂ’s car-bombing network in Baghdad. The suspect is also believed to facilitate the movement of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders throughout the region. When Coalition forces moved toward the target buildings, they received small arms fire from an armed man. Responding in self-defense, ground forces engaged and wounded him. The injured man was transported to a military medical facility for treatment.
As Coalition forces continued operations, a group of individuals who emerged from the original target building maneuvered toward them. Ground forces called in close air support to engage the hostile threat. The ground forces assessed that four terrorists were killed in the engagement. Moving to another target area, Coalition forces called for a buildingÂ’s occupants to come out, but they refused to comply. One individual maneuvered toward the ground force and, responding in self-defense, they engaged and killed the terrorist. Seven additional suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
In an operation in southern Baghdad, Coalition forces captured four suspected terrorists, one is believed to be a close associate to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of South Karkh. Intelligence reports indicate the emir is a senior car-bombing facilitator in Baghdad who provides money, vehicles and weapons to numerous car-bombing cells in the southern belt of the city.
In the central part of the country, Coalition forces conducted three operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key operatives and captured five suspected terrorists. Two of the suspects are believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition forces.
Farther north in Bayji, Coalition forces captured three suspected terrorists during operations targeting an associate to al-Qaeda in Iraq responsible for coordinating terrorists meetings in the Tigris River Valley. During the operation, a woman and a child were injured, treated on site and then transported to a military medical facility for further treatment.
In Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting an associate of the emir of al-Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured two suspected terrorists. One of the individuals is believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq attack cell leader and is suspected of being responsible for transporting al-Qaeda senior leaders in and out of Iraq. “We will continue to dismantle the terrorist networks that threaten the security of Iraq and our forces,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “The people of Iraq have chosen their future; Iraqi and Coalition forces will ensure al-Qaeda in Iraq stays out of their way.”